 | |
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981; 44 years ago (1981) |
| Headquarters | Crewe,Cheshire,United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Groceries, Alcohol |
| Parent | Bestway |
| Website | www |
Bargain Booze is a chain ofoff licence shops, that operates in the United Kingdom.[1] Established in 1981 inSandbach, it grew to 836 shops and established theBargain Booze Select Convenience shop franchise.[1][2]
From 2013 to April 2018, it was owned byConviviality plc, who also owned the Wine Rack chain. Both brands were acquired byBestway on 6 April 2018.[3]
The company originates from a wholesale wine and spirits business, founded by Allan Whittle and Robert Mayor.[4] In 1981, they opened their first retail outlet in Sandbach,Cheshire.[5] The first Bargain Booze franchise opened in 1988, and was the first time theBargain Booze fascia was used.[6][7]
In January 2000, Whittle & Mayor sold the company toBWG Foods. In July 2002, BWG was bought out byElectra Partners.[4] A management buyout backed by aprivate equity firm,ECI Partners, took over the company for £63.5 million in 2006.[8] Until July 2013, ECI remained the majority shareholder when the company floated on theAlternative Investment Market (AIM). With the collapse ofFirst Quench Retailing, who ownedThreshers, in November 2010, Bargain Booze became the largest off licence chain in theUnited Kingdom.[8]
In September 2013, the company acquired the Wine Rack chain, an off licence chain that specialises in retailing wine, with its 22 outlets mostly located inLondon andSouth East England.[3] In December 2013, the company launched its first television advertising campaign.[9] In December 2017 Bargain Booze purchased Central Convenience Stores fromPalmer and Harvey.[citation needed]
The chain was owned by Conviviality, who also ownedMatthew Clark and Bibendum, and had a head office inCrewe.[1] In March 2018, Conviviality stated that it faced bankruptcy unless it could raise £125 million, as it issued its third profits warning in a month alongside a £30 million unpaid tax bill.[10] The company had earlier said it was considering tappingshareholders for funds, and had arranged meetings with institutional investors to persuade them to take part in its share placing to raise the required money.[11] This was unsuccessful and at the end of March, Conviviality announced its intention to appoint administrators within a fortnight, putting 2,600 jobs at risk.[12] In early April 2018, the Bargain Booze and Wine Rack brands were acquired for £7 million by wholesalerBestway, whileMatthew Clark and Bibendum were acquired byC&C Group, the owner ofMagners cider.[13]
Bargain Booze is operated through afranchise model, with around 390 franchisees.[4] The chain is strongest in theNorth of England, particularly theNorth West.[14] It is the largest off-licence chain in the United Kingdom.[15]
| 'Big four' | |
|---|---|
| Convenience | |
| Discount | |
| Frozen specialists | |
| Online | |
| Premium | |
| Regional | |
